You Can Have Your Turkey and Eat it Too

You Can Have Your Turkey and Eat it Too

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That time of year is upon us, the holiday season. With Thanksgiving and soon to follow winter holiday festivities, this is the time of year when many of us choose to over-indulge before making those New Year’s resolutions. The best way to prepare ourselves (and our waistlines) is to have a plan ahead of time of what our health and wellness goals are.

If you’re starting to worry about winter season weight gain – don’t wait until New Year’s Day to decide on resolutions for the following year, jump the gun and get started now – you’ll thank yourself in the long run.

I have prepared some tips for a healthier holiday season to get you started.

  • On Thanksgiving and other holidays we may plan to fast the day of or skip morning and afternoon meals in preparation for a lavish dinner. Doing so can easily cause us to overeat out of starvation. On these days, jumpstart your day with a hearty breakfast and lunch – if you show up to dinner satisfied you’ll be less likely to eat more than you intend to.
  • Stay hydrated and drink plenty of water. Sometimes our bodies can misinterpret thirst for hunger. Drinking lots of water will not only keep you full but hopefully keep you from indulging on other sugary beverages as well.
  • Eat plenty of vegetables! Plan to fill half of you plate with a variety of colorful, non-starchy vegetables. This will help keep you full without over-serving on other entrees. Not to mention they’re great for you in a multitude of ways.
  • You don’t have to avoid dessert in order to incorporate it into your meal plan. Have that piece of pie or other sweet treat that you look forward to during this time of year – just serve yourself a mindful portion. If you’re hydrated and have eaten plenty of fiber-rich vegetables at dinner, you’ll be less tempted to go for a second serving or larger piece.
  • Savor your meal. Pace yourself and really taste your food with every bite. If you take your time you’ll be able to not only enjoy your meal but be more aware of when your body tells you it is satisfied.
  • Start your day with a walk. Get some activity in early in the day so you can enjoy dinner and family time in the evening.
  • Pitch in. If you’re not hosting dinner, offer to bring a dish of your own so that you know you’ll have a healthy option to choose from.

The holidays are a wonderful time of year. Remember to spend quality time with family and friends and be thankful for the things and people in your life right now.

Meet the Author

Kasia Ciaston

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Bringing you the best nutrition information...

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